Is “keep your home pest-free” on your holiday to-do list this Thanksgiving? It should be! You’re sure to spend tons of time and effort perfecting your grocery list, decorating your home, and preparing the food. So much time and effort goes into hosting Thanksgiving. If you have pests in your home, however, that’s all anyone will remember. Don’t let pests ruin your Thanksgiving! Here are some things you should keep in mind if you’re trying to keep your home pest-free this Thanksgiving.
A Clean Kitchen is a Happy Kitchen
It’s almost a given that you will clean your kitchen before you have guests over or begin cooking. However, there are certain areas you need to pay some extra special attention to. Cockroaches love warm and damp places in the home, especially if these places have food debris. This includes under and behind appliances such as the refrigerator, dishwasher, and stove. Check these areas thoroughly for roach activity. Make sure nooks and crannies in your kitchen are clear of crumbs and food debris. Roaches are commonly found in kitchens but you may get ants, mice, and other insects as well. Cleaning your kitchen very thoroughly before and after Thanksgiving can be extremely helpful to keep your home pest-free!
De-web Your Exterior
Halloween is over so the spider webs are no longer festive, they’re an eyesore. Spiders love building webs on the exterior of your home, especially near outdoor lights where they can have their own Thanksgiving feast from all the bug activity. Knock down spider webs with a brush or broom. Or, better yet, have a pest professional treat the exterior of your home to seriously minimize the spider activity. Some spider activity is inevitable outdoors, but they don’t have to take over all corners of your doors, windows, and eaves. At Patton Termite & Pest Control we can treat the exterior of your home and knock down the spider webs as part of our regular residential maintenance. Your decorative wreaths and pumpkins will look a lot nicer sans-spiderwebs.
Mice in the Pantry Are a Health Risk
Your cabinets and pantry can be a feasting ground for mice. Rodents are very good at gnawing through just about anything. In the fall and winter, as temperatures drop, mice are looking for shelter indoors where they have access to food. This makes kitchens, pantries, and cabinets prime locations for rodent activity. When they get into your food and are walking along and defecating on surfaces in your home, it is a hazard to your health. It’s also a hazard to the health of your guests. Rodents spread all kinds of bacteria and diseases. If you find one rodent, it’s likely there are more. It’s best to take care of a rodent problem ASAP as they can reproduce very rapidly. Check your food items for gnaw marks and holes. You should look for rodent droppings as well when looking for activity. If you find any activity, or are interested in rodent prevention, call a professional like Patton Termite & Pest Control!
Remember that Bed Bugs are Hitchhikers
Bed bugs should not be on your Thanksgiving guest list. These bugs are notorious hitchhikers. They can easily enter your home on peoples personal items like coats and bags. Have your guests put their items in a single location in the home like a coat closet. Designating an area for such items will allow you to keep the risk of bed bugs contained and you can inspect the area afterwards. Many people have guests place their items in another room, usually a bedroom. This is asking for trouble. However, it goes both ways. If your home has a bed bug infestation, you can likely transfer bed bugs to your guests. DIY bed bug products will not take care of the problem. It’s best to have your home thoroughly treated by a professional well before you have anyone over to minimize the risk. Sharing is NOT caring when it comes to bed bugs.
Don’t Leave a Plate Out for Pests
You’re stuffed. The food coma is coming and you don’t want to move. However, if you don’t clean up your plate, the pests may be after your leftovers. Food that is left out can easily get knocked over and make a mess. The dropped stuffing that fell under the coffee table may be forgotten. Roaches or mice, however, will probably find it and appreciate these dropped scraps. To keep food debris at a minimum, make sure plates and drinks are picked up and spills are cleaned promptly and thoroughly. And lastly…
Bring in a Professional to Keep Your Home Pest Free
It’s nice to have a pest-free home for Thanksgiving, but you could also have a pest-free home year-round with the help of a professional exterminator like Patton Termite & Pest Control. As part of our regular residential program, we tackle the seasonal pests that are likely to invade your home. Our trained professionals are educated in pest biology and behavior. They know where to look, what signs to look for, and how to eliminate pests with the safety of your family and pets in mind. Partner with Patton Termite & Pest Control so that we can take care of your pests to make your life, and holidays, a little easier.
We are your friendly, local pest control service provider in Wichita and surrounding areas. For pricing and information, give us a call! We’d love to hear from you.